It’s been built and used since 1985 or so but the TICO terminal tractor is only now being sold on a retail basis. Until now, TICO Terminal Systems has been building tractors only for its own use in its main business — outsourced terminal-management services (it’s a major player in U.S. ports on the east and Gulf coasts). The company operates more than 1200 of these vehicles and is said to run the largest such fleet in the world. But having owned and operated both the other shunt tractor brands for many years, the company decided to make its own with a view to simplified maintenance and modular construction. It’s a component-based tractor that’s said to be easy to repair with standard hand tools. The aim, of course, is maximum uptime and minimum lifecycle costs.

There are four models: the heavy-duty LoLo port off-road machine; the heavy-duty RoRo port off-roader; the warehouse distribution off-road tractor; and the DOT/EPA-compliant road tractor. All are powered by Cummins ISB engines with Allison 3500 RDS 6-speed transmission, plus Arvin Meritor front and rear axles and brakes.

The cab is made of a fiberglass composite material, featuring extended headroom and three upper ‘vista’ windows. The cab has a dual air-bag suspension. The TICO is said to be the only yard tractor that can accommodate a second seat in the cab for training purposes.

TICO also makes container trailers, incidentally. The Canadian distributor for all the company’s products is trailer veteran Aidan Bolger in Mississauga, Ont. If you’re curious, the TICO will be on display at the Truck World show in Toronto April 17-19 in the Di-Mond Trailers booth.